Shelf construction



Dec. 28, 1965 F. R. AMTHOR, JR.. E AL 3,225,937

SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed April 5, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 &

Dec. 28, 1965 F. R. AMTHOR, JR., E AL 3,225,937

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Dec. 28, 1965 F. R. AMTHOR, JR, ETAL 3,225,937

SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed April 5, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet s IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEWZZZZZQQ INVENTORS Dec. 28, 1965 F. R. AMTHOR, JR., ETAL 3,225,937

SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed April 5, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Georgell Schaefez" fieubenl ffadefi 1 MFTan/a fabam Dec. 28, 1965 F. R. AMTHOR, JR, ET L 3,225,937

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SHELF CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 5, 1963 1N VEN TORS Ja me a%ank Geo d'ezf United States Patent 3,225,937 SHELF CONSTRUCTION Franklin R. Amthor, J12, Manitowoc, and James M. Katzfey and Roy E. Kanitz, Two Rivers, Wis., George L. Schaefer, New York, N.Y., and Reuben P. Kodet and Frank Haban, Manitowoc, Wis., assignors to Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Apr. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 270,898 7 Claims. (Cl. 211-148) This invention relates to shelf constructions, and more particularly to a shelf for supporting articles such as books.

Flammable articles, such as books, are normally stored on shelves, and the two principal dangers of damage to or destruction of such books are fire and mildew. This is especially true of books which are stored in a library where a large number of books may be closely stacked in a room, since a fire if started would spread, and since some books may not be used for long periods of time and mildew might form.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a shelf for articles such as books, which protect the books against damage by flames originating underneath the shelf.

Another object is to provide a shelf for articles such as books, which protects the books against damage by mildew.

It is still another object to provide a shelf for articles such as books, which retards the spread of flames originating underneath the shelf.

A still further object is to provide a shelf for articles such as books, which is both fire retarding and mildew preventing.

A further object is to provide a shelf which may be compactly packaged for shipment, and may be easily assembled and installed.

Still another object is to provide a novel assembly of a plurality of shelves and supports therefor.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an assembly of a plurality of shelves and support columns therefor, embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 to 8 are enlarged elevational views of portions of a shelf of the assembly;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the assembly;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 9 and showing an alternative construction of the shelf and column assembly;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line 1616 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken on the line 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGS. 9 and 15 and showing another alternative construction of the shelf and column assembly;

- forming the shelf may be packaged and shipped separately ice FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken on the line 1919 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 20-40 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGS. 9, l5 and 18 and showing still another alternative construction of the shelf and column assembly;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken on the line 23-23 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken on the line 24-24 of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken on the line 25-25 of FIG. 22.

In general, a shelf embodying the invention is adapted to be supported by two or more vertical uprights or columns, the columns being of such height as to support several such shelves in vertically spaced relation. Each shelf comprises a bottom member adapted to be attached at its ends to the columns and to support articles such as books thereon, and a back member which is attached to the rearward edge of the bottom member and extends upwardly from the bottom member. The bottom and back members may be easily attached together and hence they may be compactly packaged and shipped separately and later assembled at the point of installation.

To protect the articles on the shelf from damage by flames originating underneath the shelf, the bottom member has its forward edge higher than its rear edge so that it slopes. This slope causes flames from underneath the shelf to be directed forwardly away from the books, and the books are tipped rearwardly out of the reach of any flames which may swirl around the forward edge of the bottom member. The back member extends upwardly above the top of the books and protects them against damage at the rear of the shelf. To provide fire protection at the ends of the shelf, the ends may be enclosed by end brackets or the columns may be constructed to enclose the ends of the shelf.

To protect the books and other articles from damage by mildew, an air pocket is provided adjacent the rear of the shelf which permits air circulation around the rearward edge of the books. The back member comprises an upper portion adapted to engage the books, and a lower portion spaced rearwardly from the upper portion, the air pocket comprising the space between the lower portion of the back member and the articles. Slots may be formed in the lower portion of the back member to permit air to circulate through the air pocket.

Novel means may also be provided for attaching the shelves to the columns, this means being such that the bottom and back members may be easily assembled and attached to the columns and the previously mentioned slope of the bottom member is provided.

In FIG. 1 is illustrated a shelf assembled especially suited for use in a library, comprising a plurality of vertically spaced identical shelves 30 mounted between a pair of vertical uprights or columns 31. Each shelf 30 comprises a bottom member 32 (FIGS. 2 to 4 and 9) having an article supporting upper surface 34, and a back member 33 (FIGS. 2 and 5) attached to and extending upwardly from the rearward edge of the bottom member 32. The height of the back member 33 is preferably greater than the maximum height of books to be stored on the shelf, and its length is equal to the length of the bottom member 32. The bottom and back members 32 and 33 are preferably made of fiat sheet metal and they are preferably constructed such that they may be easily connected together. When so constructed, thev members and assembled as they are being installed in, for example, a library. To obtain such a connection a locking type rolled flange arrangement is provided. The rearward edge of the bottom member 32 is bent downwardly to form a flange portion 35 (FIGS. 3 to 9) and the back member 33 has a portion 36 adjacent its lower edge which engages the flange portion 35. From the portions 35 and 36, the bottom and the back member are bent sharply forward forming generally horizontal portions 40 and 40a, respectively, and they then curve upwardly forming curved portions 40b and 40c, respectively. The portions 36, 40a, and 40c of the back member 33 form a pocket 37 which receives the portions 35, 4t) and 40b of the bottom member 32.

The bottom member 32 and the back member 33 are assembled by positioning the bottom member 32 with the article supporting surface 34 in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the back member 33 with curved portion 390 of the back member hooked over the curved portion 40b of the bottom member. The two members 32 and 33 are then turned relative to each other until they form generally a right angle. The sharp bends at the bottom of the portions 35 and 36 require the flanges to flex slightly to snap into place during assembly, but they also ensure that the bottom and back members will remain in assembled relation until forced apart.

The upper surface 34 of the bottom member 32 is adapted to support books which are normally pushed rearwardly into engagement with the back member 33. For purposes of this invention, the term books is defined as including books, pamphlets, manuscripts, files, boxes of files, and similar destructible articles. To prevent mildew from forming on the books, an air pocket 41 (FIG. 9) is provided adjacent the juncture of the bottom member 32 and the back member 33. The pocket 41 is formed by making the upper portion 38 of the back member 33 normal to the article supporting surface 34, and bending the back member 33 to make its lower portion 39 slope rearwardly from the upper portion 38. Therefore, when the members 32 and 33 of the shelf are in assembled relation, the unbound side of a book (indicated at 29 in FIG. 9) positioned on the surface 34 will lie flat against the upper portion 38 and the lower or rearward portion 39 of the back member 33 which slopes rearwardly and downwardly from the upper portion 38 to the portion 36, will be spaced rearwardly from the book. Thus the air pocket 41 is formed between the lower portion 39 of the back member 33, the rear of the bottom member 32, and the unbound side of the book. A plurality of slots 42 are preferably formed in the lower portion 39 to permit air to circulate in the air pocket 42. When books are stored on the shelf, air may enter the pocket 41 through the slots 42 and flow upwardly past the unbound sides of the books.

The portion 35 at the rear of the bottom member 32 slants downwardly and rearwardly at substantially the same angle as the portion 36 of the back member 33, so that when the shelf is assembled the portions 35 and 36 lie flat against each other and the lower portion 39 of the back member 33 extends upwardly at an acute angle to the book supporting surface 34, and thereabove is bent to extend in a plane normal to the surface 34. When the back and bottom members are assembled as described and supported such that the back member has its upper and lower edges substantially in vertical alignment, the forward edge of the bottom member 32 is at a higher level than its rearward edge, causing the article supporting surface 34 of the bottom member 32 to slope downwardly and rearwardly from the front of the shelf. When the shelf is installed on the columns in this position, the slope of the bottom member assists in making the shelf fire retarding and it helps to protect articles on the shelf against damage due to flames originating underneath the shelf.

The shelf 30 is mounted on the columns 31 by means comprising an end cleat 46 (FIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 8) extending across and secured as by welding to each end of the bottom member 32. Each cleat 46 is an angle having a horizontal arm 47 positioned under and secured to the bottom member 32, and a vertical arm 48 which is substantially flush with the adjacent end edge of the bottom member 32. A hole 49 is formed through each vertical arm 48 adjacent the forward edge of the bottom member 32 and a pin 51 extends through each hole 49 and has a flattened portion secured as by welding to the undersurface of each end cleat 46, the pins 51 being provided to engage the columns 31 and support the shelf adjacent the front edge thereof.

To support the shelf 36 at its rear, the horizontal arm 47 of each end cleat 46 is extended rearwardly beyond the bottom member 32 (FIGS. 3 and 9) and turned downwardly to form a hook 52 engaging one of the columns 31. The flange 36 at the rear of the bottom member 32 is cut out at both ends as at 53 (FIG. 11) to provide clearance for the horizontal arms 47 of the end cleats 46. Similarly, the lower corners of the back members 33 are cut out as at 54 to provide clearance for the end cleats 46.

To avoid a sharp edge at the front of the shelf and to stiffen the bottom member 32, the fonward edge of the bottom member 32 is bent downward, forming a flange 56 which may have the same angle relative to the book supporting surface 34 as the portion 35 at the rear of the bottom member 32. The flange 56 is then bent rearwardly underneath the vertical arms 48 of the end cleats 46, and it then curves upwardly between the vertical arms 48 of the cleats. Both ends of the flange 56 are notched as at 57 (FIGS. 3 and 11) to provide clearance for the vertical arms of the end cleats.

In addition to the previously mentioned functions, the flange 56 also helps to prevent flames originating underneath the shelf from swirling over the forward edge of the bottom member 32 and reaching articles on the shelf.

The columns 31 are constructed to engage the pins 51 and the hooks 52 of the end cleats 46 in order to support the shelf 30. Eadh column 31 is preferably formed from flat sheet metal, and it extends from the rear of the shelf forwardly to approximately the front of the shelf (FIGS. 2 and 9), the two columns 31 thereby enclosing the end areas of the shelf. The forward edge of each column 31 is bent outwardly and then rearwardly to form a front flange 60' (FIGS. 2 and 11), and a plurality of vertically spaced slots 61 are formed at the inner corner of the flange 60. The slots 61 are adapted to receive the pins 51 and extend rearwardly and downwardly from the inner front corner of each column 31, so that a pin 51 within one of the slots 61 will tend to slide rearwardly toward the bottom of the slot. At the rearward edge of each column 31, a rear flange 62 is formed which extends in wardly behind the shelf 30. A plurality of vertically spaced and upwardly facing hooks 63 (FIG. 9) are punched out of the flange 62 behind each end cleat 46, the hooks 63 being adapted to engage the ihooks 52 at the rear of each end cleat 46. If desired, the upper edge of the back member 33 may be curved rearwardly and downwardly to form another book 64 (FIGS. 2 and 9) which may also engage hooks 63 on the column 31 in or der to provide additional support at the rear of the shelf.

Between the front and rear flanges 60'and 62, each column 31 is bent to form outwardly extending portions 65 and 66 (FIGS. 2 and 11) the outer surfaces of the portions 65 and 66 preferably being flush with the outer surface of the front flange 60.- The portions 65 and 66 and the flange 60 serve to make each column 31 more rigid, and also a similar column of an adjoining shelf assembly may be secured as by welding at these locations, as shown in FIG. 2.

For each shelf 30, the hooks 63 on the column 31 which are engaged by the hooks 52 of the end cleats are below the level of the slots 61 which are engaged by the pins 51 (FIG. 9). Accordingly, the article supporting surface 34 of the shelf member 32 slopes downwardly and rearwardly. In the present instance, the surface 34 makes an angle of approximaely 6 with a horizontal plane. The upper portion 38 of the back member 33 is substantially normal to the surface 34 so that books on the surface 34 may be pushed rearwardly and with their unbound sides fiat against the upper portion 38. Due to the slope of the surface 34, the upper ends of the books are tipped rearwardly and out of the range of flames which may swirl upwardly over the forward edge of the bottom member 32. Further, the slope of the bottom member 32 tends to direct flames from under the shelf forwardly away from the front of the shelf. The flange 56 at the forward edge of the bottom member 32 also tends to restrict swirling of the flames around the front of the shelf. The end and back areas of each shelf are protected by the columns 31 and the back member 33. Since the books on each shelf are protected, the spread of a fire isnecessarily retarded. The sloped construction of the bottom member 32 has a still further advantage in that it makes. the title of a book on a low shelf easy to read for a person who is in a standing position. Further, the configuration of the back member 33 forms a ventilated air pocket which protects the boo-ks against mildew. The sllots 42 allow air to circulate in the air pocket, but the slots 42 are sutficiently small and are preferably for-med. in the back member 33 so that flames cannot enter them and damage the books.

Any suitable means may be provided for holding the columns in vertical positions. For example, the columns 31 may. extend between and be secured to the floor or the ceiling, or a framework may be provided over the top of the shelves for securing the columns together. In additionto supporting the shelves and protecting books near the ends of the shelves against damage by fire, the colum-ns 31 also serve as end abutments for the books. Further, a cap or dust cover 67 (FIG. 1) may be positioned over the top of each shelf and column assembly to protect articles on the uppermost shelf.

In FIGS. 15 to 17 is shown an assembly differing from that shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 in the construction of the columns 73-and the means for attaching a shelf 74 to the columns 73. The shelf 74 comprises a bottom member 75 having a flat back supporting upper surface 76, and a back member .77 having an upper or forward portion 78 and 'alower or rearwand portion 79 (FIG. 15).

, The bottom member 75 and the back member 77 again are attached together by means comprising a locking type rolled flange arrangement indicated at 81 (FIG. 15), similar to that shown in FIG. 9. A plurality of slots 82 may be provided in the lower portion 79 of the back member 77 to permit air circulation within the air pocket formed in front of the lower portion 79. End cleats are not provided in this form of the invention, so that the back corners of the bottom member 75 and the lower corners of the back member 77 need not be cut out. The front edge of the bottom member is preferably also provided with a flange 83 for the previously mentioned reasons.

The columns 73 extend the entire depth of the shelf and enclose its ends, and thereby provide fire protection and act as end abutments. The bottom member 75 is attached to the two columns 73 (FIG. 16) by means comprising an extension 88 at each end of the bottom member 75, each extension 88 being positioned within two slots 89 and 91 formed in the adjacent column 73. The slots 89 and 91 are aligned and slope downwardly and rearwardly from the front of each column 73 to approximately its center. A portion 92 of each column between the slots 89 and 91 is offset outwardly (FIGS. 16 and 17) and may be attached to another column 93 of an adjoining shelf assembly. A flange 94 in the same plane as the portion 92 is formed at the forward edge of each column 73 for attachment to the adjoining column' 93,

and adjoining columns may be secured together as by welding o1. screws. The extension 88 at the ends of the bottom member 75 extend into the slots 89 and 91, and at the rearward end of each extension 88 is a notch 97 which forms a hook 98 (FIG. 17) on the outside columns 73 and prevents endwise movement of the bottom member 75. The vertical height of the slots 89 and 91 is greater than the thickness of the bottom member 75, and, to prevent vertical movement of the extensions 88 within the slots 89 and 91, two upwardly extending projections 101 and 102 are formed on the portion of each extension 88 which is within a slot 91. Further, a downwardly extending projection 103 is formed at the edge of each extension 88 between the slots 89 and 91 to prevent the extensions 88 from being accidentally pulled forwardly out of the slots 89 and 91. Such accidental movement is prevented because, when the bottom member 75 is pulled forwardly, the projections 103 strike the bottom edge of the slots 89, which requires that the shelf member 75 move upwardly slightly before it can be pulled forwardly an additional amount. Such upward movement is normally prevented however by the projections 101 and 102 which engage the upper edge of the slot 91. Therefore, the shelf can be removed only by flexing or bending the forward portion of the bottom member 75 upwardly to the dashed line position of FIG. 15, at which position the projections 103 clear the lower edge of the slots 89. Once the projections 103 are out of the slots 89, the bottom member 75 may be pulled forwardly-without difliculty.

At the rear of each column 73 is formed a flange 96 which extends inwardly behind the shelf 74. A rearwardly and downwardly extending flange 104 may be provided on the upper edge of the back member 77, which engages the flanges 96 of the columns 73 and is supported thereby. If desired, a plurality of holes 106 (FIG. 15) may be formed in each column 73 at every third. slot 89 to provide assistance when installing a shelf. When the holes 106 are present, it is relatively easy to locate slots in the two columns which are at the same height. Further, if screws,are used to secure two adjoining columns together, screw holes 107 may be formed in the flanges 94 in alignment with the holes 106, and a screwdriver may be inserted through the holes 106 in order to turn the screws located in the holes 107.

The construction shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 has the same advantages as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 14. The slope of the bottom member 75, in combination with the fire protection given by the back member 77 and the columns 73, protects books against damage by fire, and the air pocket provided by the back member 77 protects the books against mildew.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, a column 111 is-provided at each rear corner of a shelf 110, the shelf including two end brackets 112 which are connected to the columns 111. The shelf further comprises a bottom member 113 having a book supporting upper surface 114, and a back member 116 having upper and lower portions 117 and 118. An air pocket is formed by the lower portion 118 and slots 120 are preferably provided in the lower portion 118 for air circulation in the air pocket. The bottom and back members 113 and 116 are locked together by a rolled flange arrangement 119 similar to that previously described, and a flange 121, as previously described in connection with the other forms, is provided at the forward edge of the bottom member 113.

The bottom member 113 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 122 at each end which may overlie' the flange 121. Further, two outwardly and downwardly extending hooks 123 are formed on each end flange 122 as by punching, the hooks 123 being adapted to engage the two end brackets 112. Each end bracket 112 comprises a generally rectangular planar member extending across the Width of the bottom member 113 and to the height of the back member 116, the brackets 112 thereby providing fire protection at the end areas of the shelf. The upper, lower and forward edges of each end bracket 112 are turned outwardly to form a peripheral flange 124 (FIG. 19). Two openings 126 are formed in the lower half of each end bracket 112, which receive the hooks 123. The forward area of each opening 126 is enlarged to permit one of the hooks 123 to be inserted therein, and each opening 126 slopes downwardly and has a narrow extension at its rear, so that the hooks 123 tend to slide into the extensions of the openings 126 and are locked therein. The hooks 123 can be withdrawn from the openings 126 only by pulling the bottom member 113 forwardly to bring the hooks 123 out of the narrow extensions to the enlarged areas of the openings 126. The opening 126 adjacent the front of the end brackets is spaced upwardly above the other opening 126 so that the bottom member 113 slopes downwardly and rearwardly (FIG. 18).

Each column 111 comprises two channel members 131 and 132 (FIG. 19) having outwardly extending flanges 133 which are secured together as by welding. Two sets of vertically spaced slots 128 may be formed in each channel member, so that each column 111 may be connected to four sets of shelves. Each end bracket 112 is attached to a column 111 by means comprising a pair of hook shaped lugs 127 (FIGS. 18 and 19) which are positioned in two adjacent slots 128 of a set, the slots 128 being sufliciently long that the lugs 127 may be inserted therein. The lugs 127 are formed adjacent the upper sides of the brackets 112 on the rear edge thereof and hold the top portion of the brackets in place. The back edge of the brackets 112 adjacent its lower side also engages the columns 111 and prevents the shelf from swinging downwardly. To prevent the lower end of each bracket 112 from swinging sideways, another pair of lugs 134 is provided on the rearward edge of each end bracket 112 near its lower side, the lugs 134 being positioned to extend into slots 128 of the same set as those associated with the lugs 127. To make the two end brackets identical so that they may be interchanged, the lugs 134 are formed as upwardly extending hooks and another pair of openings 136 are formed in each end bracket above the other pair of openings 126. Thus, each end bracket 112 is symmetrical about a horizontal centerline indicated by the numeral 137, so that it may be mounted at either end of the shelf.

FIGS. 22 to 25 illustrate still another alternative construction of a column 139 and means for attaching a shelf 140 to a pair of the columns 139. The shelf 140 comprises a bottom member 141 having a book supporting upper surface 142, and a back member 143 having upper and lower portions 144 and 145. The bottom and back members 141 and 143 are locked together at 147 in the manner previously described, and the front edge of the bottom member 141 is again provided with a flange 148. The back member 143 provides an air pocket, and slots 150 are preferably provided to permit air circulation through the air pocket, as in the previous construction.

An end cleat 149 in the form of an angle is secured as by welding to each end of the bottom member 141, each end cleat 149 having a horizontal arm which extends rearwardly beyond the connected portions of the bottom and back members 141 and 143. The rearward corners of the bottom member 141 and the lower corners of the back member 143 are cut out to provide clearance for the end cleats, similar to the construction illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 14.

The shelf is adapted to be attached to a pair of the columns 139, each column comprising two members 152 and 153 (FIG. 23) and a channel shaped member 154. Each member 152 and 153 includes a flange 156 at its rearward edge which extends inwardly behind its associated shelf, the flanges 156 having a series of vertically spaced, upwardly facing hooks 157 formed thereon. At

the forward edge of each member 152 and 153 is formed an outwardly and rearwardly extending flange 158, the rearwardly extending portions of the flanges 158 engaging each other. The channel member 154 is sized to fit around the forward ends of the two members 152 and 153, and be secured thereto as by a plurality of screws 159. The members 152, 153 and 154 are thereby rigidly secured together.

The shelf is supported adjacent its front edge by means comprising a plurality of vertically spaced lugs 161 formed on each of the arms of the channel member 154 of each column, the lugs 161 extending outwardly from the arms and underneath the adjacent end cleat 149 of the shelf. The lugs 161 may be punched out of the channel member 154, and they preferably have an arcuate upper surface (FIG. 22), An arcuate notch 162 is preferably formed in the lower edge of each end cleat 149 which receives the adjacent lug 161, the notches 162 retarding forward and rearward movement of the shelf member 141. v

The shelf is supported at its rear edge by means comprising a rearwardly and downwardly curved flange 163 (FIGS. 22 and 23) at the upper edge of the back member 143. This flange 163 engages one of the hooks 157 on each of the columns 139 and is supported thereby. In addition, the horizontal arm of each of the end cleats 149 may have a portion 164 which extends rearwardly beyond the back member 143 and over one of .the books 157 of each column. As shown in FIG. 22, the portions 164 may be spaced somewhat above the hooks 157 when no weight is on the shelf. When a load is placed on the shelf, the back member 143 tends to straighten out and the portions 164 may then rest on the hooks 157 and provide additional support.

The hooks 157 of the flanges 156 chosen to be attached to the back member 143 and the lugs 161 chosen to engage the end cleats 149 are vertical spaced such that the forward edge of the bottom member 141 is higher than its rearward edge, thereby causing the book supporting surface 142 to have a downward and rearward slope in order to provide fire protection. The columns 139 extend from the 'back to the front of the shelf and provide fire protection at the end areas of the shelf. The back member 143 also provides fire protection, and it also provides a ventilated air pocket for mildew prevention.

In each of the four constructions described herein, the bottom member of the shelf provides fire protection at the bottom and the front of the shelf. The back member of the shelf is high enough to protect the books at the rear of the shelf, and the ends of the shelf are enclosed by either the support columns or end brackets. In addition to giving fire protection, the shelf also gives mildew protection due to the presence of the ventilated air pocket near the rear of the shelf.

We claim:

1. A mildew preventing shelf for supporting books comprising a bottom member having an upper book supporting surface, and a back member extending upwardly from the rearward edge of said bottom member, said back member having a relatively-flat upper portion adapted to engage the books on said surface, said relatively fiat upper portion lying on a line extending perpendicularly from a point on said supporting surface spaced forwardly from the rearward edge of said bottom member, and a lower portion extending between said upper portion and the rearward edge of said bottom member and spaced rearwardly from said perpendicular line and from the books on said surface, whereby an air pocket is formed between said lower portion of said back member and the books, said air pocket permitting air circulation around the books and hence preventing mildew from forming.

2. A shelf as in claim 1, wherein at least one slot is formed in one of said bottom and back members at a location where air may circulate into said air pocket.

3. A shelf as in claim 2, wherein said slot is formed in said lower portion of said back member.

4. A mildew preventing shelf for supporting books, comprising a bottom member having an upper book supporting surface, and a back member extending upwardly from the rearward edge of said bottom member, said back member having an upper portion adapted to engage the books on said surface, and a lower portion spaced rearwardly from the books on said surface, whereby an air pocket is formed between said lower portion of said back member and the books, said air pocket permitting air circulation around the books and hence preventing mildew from forming, the plane of said upper portion being substantially normal to the plane of said book supporting surface, so that the rear edge of books will lie flat against said upper portion of said back member when the books stand on said bottom member.

5. A shelf as in claim 1, wherein said lower portion extends upwardly at an acute angle from said book supporting surface to said relatively flat upper portion.

6. A fire retarding and mildew preventing library shelf, comprising a bottom member having a book supporting upper surface which slopes upwardly and forwardly from its rear edge, and a back member extending upwardly from the rear of said bottom member to a height adapted to be above the top of books on said upper surface, said back member having an upper relatively flat portion adapted to engage books received on said upper surface, said relatively flat upper portion lying on a line extending perpendicularly from a point on said supporting upper surface spaced forwardly from the rear of said bottom member, and a lower portion extending between said upper portion and the rear edge of said bottom member and spaced rearwardly from said perpendicular line and from the books received on said upper surface, whereby to form an air pocket adjacent said rear of said shelf, said air pocket permitting air circulation and thus protecting the books against mildew, said bottom and back members having substantially the same length, and means adjacent each end of said shelf and enclosing the ends of said shelf, whereby said back member and said means protect books on said upper surface against flames at their respective areas of the shelf, and said slope of said upper surface tilts the books rearwardly to protect them against flames at the forward area of the shelf.

7. A fire retarding and mildew preventing library shelf, comprising a bottom member having a book supporting upper surface which slopes upwardly and forwardly from its rear edge, and a back member extending upwardly from the rear of said bottom member to a height which is above the top of books on said upper surface, said back member forming a ventilated air pocket adjacent the rear of said shelf, said air pocket protecting the books against mildew, said bottom and back members having substantially the same length, and means adjacent each end of said shelf and enclosing the ends of said shelf, whereby said back member and said means protect books on said upper surface against flames at their respective areas of the shelf, and said slope of said upper surface tilts the books rearwardly to protect them against flames at the forward area of the shelf, said back member extending upwardly from said bottom member at an acute angle to said upper surface, and thereabove being bent to extend in a plane which is normal to said upper surface, whereby books on said upper surface may lie flat against the normal portion of said back member, and the acute portion of said back member is spaced rearwardly from the books and forms said air pocket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 122,011 8/1940 Erickson D-9 985,222 2/1911 Stuck 108-110 1,739,809 12/1929 Vance 108-109 1,774,235 8/ 1930 Ohnstrand 108-109 2,346,150 4/1944 Brown 108-1 2,447,704 8/ 1948 Kline 108-110 2,626,063 1/1953 Echlin 211-184 2,975,909 3/1961 Foster 211- 3,067,882 12/1962 Ribbens 108-102 3,082,880 3/1963 Mapson 108-32 FOREIGN PATENTS 110,246 4/ 1940 Australia.

629,459 9/ 1949 Great Britain.

107,648 6/1954 Sweden.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MILDEW PREVENTING SHELF FOR SUPPORTING BOOKS COMPRISING A BOTTOM MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER BOOK SUPPORTING SURFACE, AND A BACK MEMBER EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE REARWARD EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM MEMBER, SAID BACK MEMBER HAVING A RELATIVELY FLAT UPPER PORTION ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE BOOKS ON SAID SURFACE, SAID RELATIVELY FLAT UPPER PORTION LYING ON A LINE EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY FROM A POINT ON SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE SPACED FORWARDLY FROM THE REARWARD EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM MEMBER, AND A LOWER PORTION EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID UPPER PORTION AND THE REARWARD EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM MEMBER AND SPACED REARWARDLY FROM SAID PERPENDICULAR LINE AND FROM THE BOOKS ON SAID SURFACE, WHEREBY AN AIR POCKET IS FORMED BETWEEN SAID LOWER PORTION OF SAID BACK MEMBER AND THE BOOKS, SAID AIR POCKET PERMITTING AIR CIRCULATION AROUND THE BOOKS AND HENCE PREVENTING MILDEW FROM FORMING. 